Grading all 32 first-round picks in the 2019 NFL draft

The 2019 NFL Draft is officially underway, and we’re grading all of the picks in the first round as they happen. Picks will be graded on a number of factors, including value, need and scheme fit. We’ll also be offering analysis on all of the trades that go down on Thursday night.

Some other resources that will help you follow along with the first round…

Grade: A-

2. 49ers: Nick Bosa, Edge Ohio State

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Analysis: There was no need to overthink this: The 49ers had a need at edge rusher, and Nick Bosa is the most polished edge prospect to enter the league in years. It’s easy to compare Bosa to his brother Joey, but here’s a scary thought: Nick has even more power … and all the athletic traits we saw in Joey back in 2015. The 49ers’ pass rush is scary with Dee Ford, DeForest Buckner and, now, Bosa on the defensive line.

Grade: A

3. Jets: Quinnen Williams, DT Alabama

Analysis: The Jets tried to trade out of the No. 3 pick, but couldn’t find a partner and “settled” for the best defensive player in the draft. Williams is a nose tackle at heart, and that position isn’t typically one taken this high in the draft, but he’s a different breed. Williams is just too quick for interior offensive linemen. Single-block him, and he’ll push right through the line. Double-team him and he’ll split it with quickness. The Jets didn’t need necessarily fill a major need with this pick, but it would’ve been hard to pass up on the value.

Grade: B+

4. Raiders: Clelin Ferrell, Edge Clemson

Analysis:In my final mock draft, I had the Raiders taking Clelin Ferrell … only it was with the 27th pick — NOT THE FOURTH OVERALL. I don’t care if the Raiders LOVED Ferrell, it’s unlikely he was a top-10 pick on any other team’s board. So why not trade down to take him? Especially with multiple teams itching to trade up for quarterbacks? Even if Ferrell turns out to be a good player, he could have been had later in the first round.

Grade: F

5. Buccaneers: Devin White, LB LSU

Analysis: Devin White is a good football player. The best linebacker in the class, even. He has tremendous tackling range and makes a difference in the passing game as a zone defender. BUT … linebacker isn’t exactly a position of great importance, and the Bucs had to use a premium pick to get him. Why not trade down and hope he falls to you — and just take Michigan’s Devin Bush as a consolation if he doesn’t?

Grade: D

6. Giants: Daniel Jones, QB Duke

(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Analysis:I like Daniel Jones. I really do. He’s a smart quarterback who’s poised in the pocket and — wait for it — he’s sneaky athletic. At the very least, he’ll be a decent NFL starter. But his ceiling isn’t much higher than that, and if you’re using a top pick on a quarterback, you want a guy with top-10 talent. I’m not sure Jones has it. I would have been more impressed with this pick at 17. I would have been FAR more impressed with a trade for Josh Rosen, who is a far better prospect.

Grade: C

7. Jaguars: Josh Allen, Edge Kentucky

Analysis: Thanks to some questionable decisions by teams ahead of them, the Jaguars ended up with one of the elite pass rushing prospects in this class. He’s also a versatile defender who can drop back into coverage and hold up just fine. The Jaguars need pass catchers and another offensive tackle, but Josh Allen offered too much value to pass up on.

Grade: A-

8. Lions: T.J. Hockenson, TE Iowa

Analysis: Hockenson should develop into a fine tight end … just not one who really makes a difference for the Lions. Those game-changing tight ends are rare. Merely good tight ends are not and should not be taken with a top-10 pick, as Detroit learned the last time it used one on the position (Eric Ebron at No. 10 in 2014).

Grade: C-

9. Bills: Ed Oliver, DT Houston

Analysis: The Bills decided not to trade up for Quinnen Williams and their patience paid off. Ed Oliver is unblockable and would have gone in the top-five if he hadn’t played out of position at Houston. Oliver is a 3-technique through and through but was forced to play nose tackle because of the Cougars’ personnel limitations. He’s rocket fast off the line and has strong, active hands. He’s not quite Aaron Donald — who is? — but he’ll make a similar impact at times.

Grade: A

10. Steelers (from DEN): Devin Bush, LB Michigan

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Analysis: The Steelers have found their replacement for Ryan Shazier. Like Shazier, Devin Bush is a true sideline-to-sideline linebacker who can hold up in man coverage. He’s the perfect linebacker for the modern NFL. Now, trading up for a linebacker isn’t the smartest use of resources (and that will hurt the grade) but the Steelers got a good player.

Grade: B-

Trade details: The Broncos moved down to the No. 20 pick and received a 2018 second-round pick (No. 52 overall) and a third in next year’s draft.

Analysis: This trade will look even better than it already does if Dwayne Haskins somehow falls to Denver at pick 20. For now, it’s a solid B+ from the Broncos.

11. Bengals: Jonah Williams, OT Alabama

Analysis: The only knock against Jonah Williams is that his arms are a little short. Who cares? It was never a problem on the field. Williams was the best all-around tackle in the draft, and the Bengals got him outside of the top-10. That’s rare. This was a no-brainer for Cincinnati, especially with Andy Dalton still producing with a modest cap number. The Bengals can wait until next year to find his successor.

Grade: A

12. Packers: Rashan Gary, Edge Michigan

Analysis: The Packer just spent A LOT of money on edge rushers in free agency, so Rashan Gary won’t have to play right away and that’s a good thing because he’s raw. And by raw, I mean not all that good at football or productive in college. But Gary is a good athlete who could develop into an impact pass rusher with some good coaching. You usually see those players go later in the first round.

Grade: D

13. Dolphins: Christian Wilkins, DT Clemson

Analysis: I don’t see anyway Miami ends up regretting this pick. Brian Flores came up under Bill Belichick, and this pick is right out of his playbook. Belichick loves players who are “smart, tough and reliable” and Christian Wilkins is all of those things. He’s also a freaky athlete with pass rush moves. He’ll be a difference-maker at the defensive tackle position.

Grade: B+

14. Falcons: Chris Lindstrom, G Boston College

Analysis: Meh. Chris Lindstrom will be a good player. He may even develop into one of the best guards in the league. But he’s still a guard, and there are several good guard prospects who would have been available later in the round. Trading down would have been the better move.

Grade: C-

15. Redskins: Dwayne Haskins, QB Ohio State

Analysis: After all the pre-draft hoopla that suggested the Redskins were going to pull a, well, Redskins and botch this draft, everything worked out for Washington: The Redskins didn’t have to trade up and still ended up with the second-best quarterback in the draft. Haskins is a prototypical pocket passer who diagnoses coverages in an instant. His deep-ball accuracy isn’t ideal and he isn’t very mobile, but Haskins has EVERYTHING else you want in a franchise quarterback

Grade: A

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16. Panthers: Brian Burns, Edge Florida State

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Analysis: The Panthers had plenty of needs to address and decided to go with the best player left on the board. Brian Burn is a lanky pass rusher with the kind of explosiveness and agility we see in all of the NFL’s elite pass rushers. He won’t make an impact in the run game, but who cares? Today’s NFL is all about passing and defending the pass, and Burns will help with the latter.

Grade: B

17. Giants: Dexter Lawrence, DT Clemson

Analysis: I mean, I guess this pick is on-brand for Dave Gettleman, who seems to be obsessed with building a team that can win the NFC East in 1993. Dexter Lawrence is a good player, but he’s a run-stuffer (a very good one) and that just isn’t a valuable skill. Look at it this way: The Giants traded Damon Harrison, the best run defender in the NFL, for a fifth-round pick. Then, essentially, traded Odell Beckham for a player they hope will turn into Harrison one day.

Grade: F

18. Vikings: Garrett Bradbury, C North Carolina State

Analysis: If you’re going to take a center with a top-20 pick, I suppose Garrett Bradbury is the kind of center you take. He has the movement skills and power to develop into a top center. But Minnesota needed a tackle and Andre Dillard, the best pass protector in the class, was on the board and the Vikings passed.

Grade: C-

19. Titans: Jeffery Simmons, DT Mississippi State

Analysis: This is a hard pick to grade. For two reasons: Jeffery Simmons suffered a torn ACL during the draft process, and, more concerning, he was recorded striking a woman and charged with assault before he got to Starkville. The Titans are taking a big risk — in more ways than one — and I’m not sure Simmons is worth it. The Chiefs took a similar risk when they drafted Tyreek Hill, and we’ve seen how that’s turned out.

Grade: C-

20. Broncos: Noah Fant, TE Iowa

Analysis: Noah Fant is the ideal modern tight end, in that he’s big, he’s fast and he can run routes. But he’s not much of a blocker, so the Broncos essentially used a first-round pick on a big receiver who would not have gone as high had he been classified as such. Maybe he’ll turn into Jimmy Graham one day, but Fant wasn’t particularly good in contested catch situations against Big Ten defenders, so…

Grade: D+

21. Packers (from SEA): Darnell Savage, S Maryland

Analysis: Darnell Savage was a late riser in the draft process and it’s easy to see why when you turn on his film. Savage makes plays where ever he lines up — and he can line up in a variety of spots: The deep middle, in the box, in the slot, etc. The Maryland product is a hard hitter with coverage skills. He’ll make the Packers’ pass defense better, and that was clearly Green Bay’s goal for the first round. They had to trade up to get him but gave up only two Day 3 picks to do so. Not bad.

Grade: B

Trade details: The Seahawks moved down to the No. 30 pick and received two 2018 fourth-round picks to do so.

Analysis: The Seahawks needed more picks and they picked up two while staying the first round. It wasn’t an overly impressive haul, but if the Seahawks feel like they can still get their target at 30, this move makes sense. We’ll give them a B for the pick.

22. Eagles (from BAL): Andre Dillard, LT Washington State

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Analysis: Howie Roseman does it again! The Eagles needed a franchise left tackle to replace Jason Peters, and they got one … at pick 22. That never happens. Dillard is the best pass protector in the class. He’s not overly powerful, but he doesn’t let people get by him. Washington State threw the ball a ton — and QB Gardner Minshew held the ball for an eternity — and Dillard gave up only one sack in all of 2018.

Grade: A+

23. Texans: Tytus Howard, OT Alabama State

Analysis: Tytus Howard is an impressive ball of clay, but he’ll need time to be molded into a contributor, and I don’t know if the Texans have time to wait for that to happen. Or the coaching staff to make it happen. Maybe Howard is the next Terron Armstead. Or maybe he’ll be the next athletic tackle who flames out of the league in three years. I’d be more comfortable betting on the latter.

Grade: D

24. Raiders: Josh Jacobs, RB Alabama

Analysis: I mean, sure. Josh Jacobs is the best running back in the draft. He might even be a Pro Bowler. But he’s a running back and Oakland used a first-round pick on him. That’s not a smart allocation of resources. Even if Jacobs is a good pass catcher, he won’t be a difference-maker in the passing game — there are like two running backs who are — and that’s where NFL games are won.

Grade: C

25. Ravens (from PHI): Marquise Brown, WR Oklahoma

Analysis: The Ravens needed receivers and they got one of the two best receivers in the class. Marquise Brown is known for his speed, but he’s so much more than that. He’s a smart route runner at all levels of the field and he can also make things happen after the catch. Between Lamar Jackson and Brown, NFC North defenses are going to have a hard time keeping up with the Ravens offense. That Baltimore traded down and still landed Brown makes this pick look even better.

Grade: A

26. Redskins (from IND): Montez Sweat, Edge Mississippi State

Analysis: The Redskins just lost a pass rusher from Mississippi State (Preston Smith) and they replaced him with another one who has an even higher ceiling. Montez Sweat ran a faster 40 than Odell Beckham! He dropped after being apparently misdiagnosed with a heart issue at the combine, so Washington is getting a top-15 talent here after getting a top-10 talent in Dwayne Haskins. The Redskins are killing the draft, and I have no idea what’s real anymore.

Grade: A-

27. Raiders: Johnathan Abram, S Mississippi State

Analysis:Jon Gruden told us he wasn’t the biggest fan of analytics. Maybe we should have believed him, because after using a first-round pick on a running back, he went ahead and used another on a box safety who has issues in coverage. Johnathan Abram will be a good run defender, and he does have deep range, but he’ll be a player teams target in the passing game.

Grade: D+

28. Chargers: Jerry Tillery, DT Notre Dame

Analysis: This might be my favorite pick in the first round. Jerry Tillery is going to be a good run defender, but he’ll make his money in the passing game. He’s a big dude who knows how to play with leverage and use his powerful hands to push blockers aside. He should have been a top-15 pick, but the Chargers aren’t sweating it. They needed a defensive tackle and they ended up with one of the best in the class at 28.

Grade: A+

29. Seahawks: L.J. Collier, Edge TCU

Analysis: Uhhh … I know the Seahawks are committed to establishing the run, but they do realize that the rest of the NFL is not thinking the same way, right? L.J. Collier is a strong run defender and might be able to contribute in the passing game, but he’s not an impressive athlete, which may limit his potential as an edge rusher. They’ll have to kick him inside on rush downs. He’ll be a good player, but it’s hard to envision him developing into something worth a first-round pick.

Grade: C

30. Giants (from SEA): Deandre Baker, CB Georgia

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Analysis: Let’s hear it for Dave Gettleman. No, not because he did a good job on Thursday night. He didn’t. But he did provide us with some genuine LOL moments. First, he over-drafted Daniel Jones. Then he took a nose tackle with his second first-rounder. And then, for his grand finale, he traded up to draft a zone corner with Greedy Williams, the best man corner in the class, still on the board. I’ll let Mike Zimmer take it from here…

"You can find a Cover 2 corner anywhere. I can go down to the 7-11 in Bloomington and get one." — Mike Zimmer, mic'd up on @nflnetwork

Grade: D+

31. Falcons (via LAR): Kaleb McGary, OT Washington

Analysis: Oh, man. Kaleb McGary is a good player, but the Falcons gave up A LOT to move up to get him. And there are still a couple good tackle prospects (Jawaan Taylor and Dalton Risner) left on the board, so it wasn’t a move they had to make. McGary is a big dude, but he’s not a great athlete, which will be a concern on the edges.

Grade: D

32. Patriots: N’Keal Harry, WR Arizona State

Analysis: The Patriots haven’t had a lot of success drafting receivers, and I’m not sure that’s going to change with this pick. Let’s start with the good: N’Keal Harry is an absolute monster at the catch point and he can make some things happen with the ball in his hands. Now the bad: He can’t get open, so Tom Brady is going to have to put a lot of faith in him if Harry is going to get a ton of targets. There were better players on the board.

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